Iredell County – A North Carolina man accused of attacking multiple people with a machete and damaging property was taken back into custody just hours after being released from jail, according to the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office.
Sheriff Darren Campbell said deputies responded around 5:25 p.m. Wednesday, June 10, to a reported breaking and entering and assault on Lewis Ferry Road.
When deputies arrived, they found a victim suffering from injuries consistent with an assault. Investigators identified the suspect as Joseph Payton Gallimore.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, Gallimore allegedly attacked the victim with a Gurkha Kukri-style machete, striking him in the front of the head and the back of his right shoulder. The victim also suffered cuts to his fingers that investigators believe were defensive wounds sustained while attempting to stop the attack.
The victim was transported to a hospital, where medical personnel said he was in stable condition.
Witnesses told deputies Gallimore fled the scene on foot while still armed with the machete, heading toward a nearby wooded area. Sheriff’s Office K-9 and drone teams searched for the suspect but were unable to locate him during the initial operation.
Investigators said Gallimore also used the machete to slash and flatten the tires of two vehicles parked at the scene and assaulted a second individual during the incident.
Authorities learned Gallimore had been released from custody earlier the same day after being arrested on unrelated charges.
Detective Geiken obtained warrants charging Gallimore with felony assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious injury, assault on a female, misdemeanor crime of domestic violence, false imprisonment, two counts of communicating threats and two counts of injury to personal property.
At approximately 2 a.m. Thursday, deputies located Gallimore on Fairdale Road and took him into custody without further incident.
He was transported to the Iredell County Detention Center, where he was served with the outstanding warrants. Magistrate Nicholson issued a no-bond order.
The investigation remains ongoing.
